Dark Side of Dawn

Air Force helicopter pilot Jo West is flying a routine mission when she sights a Ferrari out of control on the road below. She makes a rescue landing only to discover that she has saved Alexander Taylor, former lieutenant governor of Virginia and grandson of a past president. Although romantic sparks fly between Jo and the handsome, wealthy and wildly well-connected Alex, readers will sense that something is amiss with Alex's unrelenting attention and lavish gifts (a diamond pin and a helicopter) long before Jo realizes that her suitor is still ""enthralled"" with his dead wife. When Jo attempts to break off the relationship she finds that Alex won't let go. Soon her home, her career, her new suitor and her life are all put at risk by a man empowered with confidential information and state-of-the-art weaponry. It's never clear why down-to-earth Jo would have bought Alex's controlling charm, nor why his dark side wasn't exposed years before. Beyond this, however, Lovelace (Line of Duty) has created a well-paced and satisfying tale with an original heroine who appeals both as a woman and an officer. The military milieu, unusual for a romance novel, is drawn with impressive deftness, and the dilemma of a woman stalked by a man who holds all the cards makes for genuine suspense. (Jan. 9)